Lancaster Country Club set to challenge players at U.S. Women's Open

The Lancaster Country Club, host of the U.S. Women's Open, is one in a long line of terrific courses in Pennsylvania, distinguished by elevation changes that are more subtle than dramatic but still create club-selection conundrums for players because many approach shots to the green are uphill.

In addition, course architect William Flynn built a series of challenging greens with contours and undulations that makes it imperative for players to get their approaches on the correct side of the hole for birdie chances. Approach shots that finish above the hole will make three-putting more likely, and those are killers to a player's chance of contending for the championship.

Lancaster is a layout with a terrific variety of holes, a collection that makes it difficult to have a consensus pick as "signature hole." The 18th hole, a 437-yard par-4, may be the toughest hole, particularly if the Women's Open comes down to the wire and a player is fighting her nerves to hit two excellent shots to the green. But another pivotal piece of the course is a four-hole stretch that comes in the middle of the round — holes eight through 11, a par-3 followed by three par-4s — that present length and elevation changes.

"If you can walk away from these four holes with pars, you'd be very happy," said Rick Gibson, the club's director of golf.

HOLES 8 THROUGH 11

Gibson: "From my perspective, the first seven holes are an opportunity to take advantage to maybe score a little bit. But once you get to hole eight, then it really starts to turn on you a little bit. I think the golf course really starts to attack you at that point.

"You fight the elevations quite a bit. Eight starts to climb back up the hill. On 10, your approach goes up the hill. Eleven, the approach is back up the hill. Those par-4s not only have the length, but the elevation makes them a little more difficult as well.

"I think No. 9 is visually probably the narrowest tee ball, so getting the ball in the fairway on each of those holes is crucial because out of the rough or out of the fairway bunker, the chances of hitting those greens in regulation are significantly decreased. So I think the most important thing is to get that tee ball in play in the fairway; give yourself an opportunity to hit those greens in regulation; and if you do so, two-putt, and walk away from those holes with pars."

18TH HOLE

Terry Hertzog, head pro at Country Club of York, former assistant pro at Lancaster: "It demands two great shots. That's where I think some of the women that hit it far, if it comes down to it, they would certainly have an advantage to be able to hit maybe a middle iron or hybrid into that hole as opposed to a fairway wood. The green is pretty receptive to a long shot in. It is a little bit hard to control where you keep the ball on the green. You've got that big false front on it, so you've got to make sure you get it up there to the level part."

Scorecard

6,460 yards, par 70. Yardage is subject to change.